Early Childhood Services (ECS)
Preschool and Kindergarten
Program overview
Pacekids provides preschool and kindergarten programming for children with diverse needs with convenient locations in Sunridge N.E. and Sundance S.E., Calgary, accessible through Program Unit Funding (PUF) with Alberta Education.
With small class sizes, low child to aide ratios, and a therapy team that works directly in the classroom, our play based program supports your child’s academic, social, and developmental growth every step of the way.
Our ECS program supports children
2.8 to 6 years old with diagnosed or suspected
diverse needs including but not limited to:
- Anxiety
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Blindness
- Cerebral Palsy
- Childhood Apraxia of Speech
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)
- Global Developmental Delay (GDD)
- Developmental Delays
- Down Syndrome
- Dravet Syndrome
- Epilepsy
- Fine/Gross Motor Delays
- Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy
- Hearing Loss
- Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Rare Genetic Disorders
- Receptive/Expressive Language Delay
- Rett Syndrome
- Sensory Processing Disorder
- Speech and Language Delays
- Turner Syndrome
In the classroom
Meet the team supporting your child’s journey!
Our Kindergarten classrooms are led by certified teachers, while our Preschool classrooms are guided by dedicated educators passionate about early childhood development.
Teachers:
- Create a safe, engaging learning environment
- Plan developmentally appropriate programming
- Support each child's learning and development
- Build relationships with children and families
- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team
- Use observation and assessment to guide programming
Our Classroom Therapy Aides work alongside children, teachers, and therapists to support daily learning and therapeutic activities.
CTAs:
- Provide individualized support
- Implement therapist-recommended strategies
- Promote independence and participation
- Help build communication, social, and self-regulation skills
Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP)
Supports children's speech, language, social communication, and feeding and swallowing skills, including the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) where needed.
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Supports fine motor skills, self-care, sensory processing, regulation, and play to help children participate fully in daily activities.
Physiotherapist (PT)
Supports gross motor development, mobility, strength, balance, and endurance, including positioning and equipment needs.
Behavioural Strategist
Supports children's regulation and behaviour by identifying the function behind behaviour and building strategies that help children participate and succeed.
Psychologist
Supports cognitive and developmental functioning, mental health, and diagnostic assessment, working alongside families and the care team.
Therapy Assistants
Work alongside therapists to help carry out individualized programming and support children's progress toward their goals in the classroom.
Uses the power of sound, rhythm, and creative play to support each child's learning and development.
- Supports communication, social, and motor skills through songs, instrument play, and rhythmic movement
- Adapts pacing, sensory input, and activities to fit each child's needs and abilities
- Creates a welcoming, inclusive space where every child feels valued and empowered to participate
Other important members of our ECS team will also play a role in your child’s education and have day to day interactions with your family, including our ECS Managers, Education Lead, ECS Intake Team, Site Therapy Supervisor, and Clinical Manager.
Getting Funding
Program Unit Funding (PUF), provided through Alberta Education, helps your child attend our ECS program, where teachers, therapists and CTAs work together in the classroom.
Every family’s path looks a little different. Our ECS Intake Team is here to walk you through it and help you figure out what’s right for your child.
Getting to School
Pacekids offers year-round transportation at no cost, including car seats, managed by 4Seasons Transportation, a Calgary-based service dedicated to safely transporting children with diverse needs.
We accommodate different pick-up and drop-off locations, including daycares and day homes, as long as it stays consistent week to week.
Our schools
Two convenient locations across Calgary, thoughtfully designed spaces to support your child’s growth.
Pacekids Sunridge
#130 2850 Sunridge Blvd NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6G2
Pacekids Sundance
#130 23 Sunpark Drive SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3V1